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606: DEBATE
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By Chris Whyatt
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1944: "Superb to see all our sporting stars together tonight, who ever wins will totally deserve it." Darrell Allen on 81111 text
1941: SPOTY big one contender and British sailor Ben Ainslie is being interviewed by Jake. Funny clip of him in Weymouth falling into the English Channel and rapidly swimming out with a candy floss-soft reaction that screams: "I cannot handle cold water." Perhaps that's why he's so good?
1935: What's this? The new James Toseland, that's what. Multi-talented gold medal-winning Olympic rower Zac Purchase unleashes a silky number on his saxophone. Nice. Jake, introducing, called it a - snigger - 'zaxophone'. Fair enough Humprey, it was on a plate.
1932: Recently-retired BBC Radio 5 Live rugby commentator Alastair Hignell, who is battling multiple sclerosis, has just been handed the Helen Rollason Award. His voice is utterly synonymous with the roars that greet kick-off at the greatest rugby stadia on the planet. Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you hear it.
1928: 4,765 tonnes of muscle strolls on to the stage, retired footballer Gary is dwarfed. Yep - it's Wales' Grand Slam + Six Nations-winning squad of 2008. IRB World Rugby Player of the Year Shane Williams humbly accepts Lineker's praise.
1925: First award of the evening has just been presented by boxer Ricky Hatton and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott: Beijing Paralympic gold medal-winning swimmer Eleanor Simmonds is the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year! She's absolutely beaming with pride.
1922: If you are not watching on BBC1 but wish to follow the action in pictures, UK users can watch the show live on this website. There was a minor problem as it started, but it's fixed now. Just restart the application. Live video - BBC Sports Personality
1915: Hushed silence in the arena as we look back on some of this year's greatest sporting moments. One of them could be about to happen on Monday should England win the first Test in India. On the Liverpool waterfront BBC Sport's Saj Chowdhury has managed to collar former captain Michael Vaughan. This is what he said:
"It's hard to think that two weeks ago they would have thought of coming back to India and playing, but not only that, they are playing well. The one-day defeats and the Mumbai attacks didn't put them off their strides.
"The ability to play well is always with you if you're a good player. Look at Andrew Strauss, he had not played for about three months and now he's hit two tons in two innings. This Test is a must-win for England and will help them build up momentum for next year's Ashes."
1910: Gary Lineker and debutant Jake Humphrey are sharing presenting duties with Sue tonight. Both the lads looking pretty slick. Gary's gone for a classic cut black suit-tie combo with crisp white shirt. Jake's donning a natty sky blue tie.
Olympians and Paralympians are being welcomed/ reunited on to the stage as the orchestra builds to a crescendo... it's a bit like a huge soft-rock concert. Wild applause.
"I'm in the production room at the moment and the video feed we have includes the voice of the BBC's Paul Davies who is quite literally directing all the shots. Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Jake Humphrey have to concentrate on presenting and at the same time listen to Paul's directions. True pros."
Saj Chowdhury in Liverpool
1903: Talking of which, if you want to follow the action in pictures tune in now to BBC1. We'll have fun here though, don't worry.
The show has started and here's the big news I know you've all been waiting for: presenter Sue Barker has shunned pastels for the second year running and is wearing... ivory.
1858: Duffy's retro smash of 2008 "Mercy" is blasting out of a packed Liverpool Echo Arena as 9000 guests, and some of the most talented sportspersons in the world, stand and clap along. Smiles all round. A fantastic atmosphere. The TV show is about to go live.
1852: Yes, the carpet upon which the great and good of world sport make their grand entrance is purple. Here's BBC Sport's Saj Chowdhury in Liverpool with more on the build-up:
"Great names rolled up to the red carpet (although it looked more purple to me). Sir Bobby Charlton arrived shortly after 1700 GMT, looking very dapper, for his deserved Lifetime Achievement award.
"I managed to catch up with Sir Bobby's former England and Manchester United team-mate Nobby Stiles, who said: "He was an exceptional player. Like a thoroughbred to me. Great striker of the ball and had a great temperament. I was fortunate to play with him both both club and country." Fantastic."
1845: Evening all. Welcome to our live coverage of the 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year show.
Hurry along now and get settled - kick off's in 15 minutes. A bewildering array of sporting stars have already taken their seats after negotiating their way past the flashbulbs from an army of photographers on the purple carpet...
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